Traffic-Free Oxford Street: Shoppers Spending 28% More Since Cars Were Banned

Shoppers are spending more on Oxford Street since cars, buses and taxis were taken off the busiest stretch of the road, according to new figures from City Hall.

Spending in shops on the traffic-free section rose 28% year-on-year in the first week, and footfall was up 16%. Sadiq Khan called the early results “staggering”.

What the figures show

Payment company Adyen recorded store spending in the traffic-free area rising from about £2.9 million last year to £3.7 million. The number of in-store transactions rose by 19%.

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City Hall and the Oxford Street Development Corporation said footfall rose 16% compared with the October 2025 half-term, with international visitors up 42% and more people visiting after 6pm. Transport for London sensors also showed more people using Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations in the first traffic-free week.

Not everyone is happy

Local residents’ group the Marylebone Association says bus users have lost several routes and some journeys are taking up to 11 minutes longer. Some shoppers have also questioned whether there is enough help for disabled visitors.

Cyclists riding through the pedestrian area are another concern. Tom Fyans of the London Cycling Campaign said there would always be “a handful who are not going to follow the rules”, and that work is continuing to tackle the problem.

How do I get there now?

Buses have been rerouted away from the traffic-free section, with new bus stops about 200 metres away and taxi ranks around 100 metres from the pedestrian zone. Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road stations, including the Elizabeth line at Bond Street, are the easiest way in.

With the Christmas lights now on and the festive shopping season under way, City Hall hopes the numbers will keep rising.

Photo: Lomb / Shutterstock (illustrative)